Hairspray set to tour in 2015, directed by Paul Kerryson

Zizi Strallen and Rebecca Craven in Hairspray which was staged at Leicester Curve in March/April earlier this year. Picture: Pamela Raith

A new production of Hairspray will embark on a major UK tour in 2015/16. The musical comedy will begin its UK tour at Leicester’s Curve theatre on 9 September 2015 and will then tour to 29 venues across the UK, including a Christmas residency at Birmingham Alexandra Theatre in December 2015.

Hairspray will be directed by Paul Kerryson, with choreography by Drew McOnie and musical direction by Ben Atkinson.

Hairspray is based on the 1988 film of the same name which starred Divine and Ricki Lake, directed by cult filmmaker John Waters. The musical originally opened to rave reviews on Broadway in 2002 and subsequently won eight Tony Awards. The production opened in London at the Shaftesbury Theatre in 2007 and won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical, Best Actor in a Musical, Best Actress in a Musical and Best Performance in a Supporting Role. Proving to be an international success, Hairspray has also opened in South Africa, Japan, South Korea, China and Dubai. Following the musical’s success on stage, a film of the musical was released in 2007 which starred John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer and James Marsden.

Also in the creative team are set designer Paul Moore , costume designer Takis, lighting designer Philip Gladwell and sound designer Ben Harrison.

Hairspray is produced by Mark Goucher and Laurence Myers, Tom O’Connell for QNQ and Just for Laughs Theatricals.